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Needing advice on how to handle son with ODD
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<blockquote data-quote="BusynMember" data-source="post: 305432" data-attributes="member: 1550"><p>Hi there and welcome to the board. Trust me, you are NOT alone.</p><p></p><p>I have a few questions that will help us help you better.</p><p></p><p>1/ First off, it is very unlikely that he has ODD and nothing else. And he is most likely treatable. Read on. Has he ever been assessed by a private neuropsychologist or is the diagnosis just his therapist's opinion? Many of us, if not most, do not believe that ODD stands by itself. It doesn't mean much either other than "he is defiant." It doesn't explain why and isn't a very helpful label. Even the Chandler Papers (Dr. Chandler is the King of ODD) states that it rarely stands alone. It is usually the result of a more pervasive, bigger disorder that is not being treated. NeuroPsychs are really good diagnosticians who test up to ten hours. I would definitely have a neuropsychologist evaluation that is outside of the school district. They are psychologists (PhD's) with extra training in brain function and in my opinion come closest to accurately diagnosing our children (and even us). I've been in the mental healthcare system for myself, my daughter and my son and with all my experience I find NeuroPsychs the most accurate diagnosticians. I would not accept a diagnosis of only ODD. Many of us would not.</p><p></p><p>2/Are there any psychiatric issues on either side of his genetic tree? Obviously, ex (his father) has some sort of psychiatric problem possibly coupled with substance abuse, which is usually part and parcel of an attempt to self-medicate. Sadly, even once they are out of our children's lives the genes live on. Even if ex has not been diagnosed with anything, is here a chance he has a mood disorder? </p><p></p><p>3/How was your son's early development in the areas of speech, eye contact, cuddling, warming up to strangers, pottying, motor skills, and ability to transition from one activity to another. Another commmon childhood problem that is often overlooked by therapists is high functioning autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified or Aspergers Syndrome). THese kids have very poor social skills, quirks, obsessive behavior, don't play much with toys in approproate ways, often mimic television shows, often have speech delays, usually don't know how to act appropriately in public, often are very bright but have learning differences, and get so frustrated that that rage. They can get so angry and frustrated at not understanding the world that they can lash out at others, at objects and even scratch themselves or bang their heads against the wall. My son used to do these things. These kids need interventions specific to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), don't respond well to traditional parenting methods, and do not do well in therapy because their problem is neurological, although it can appear to be psychiatric. </p><p></p><p>Often kids with both mood diosrders and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are misdiagnosed as ADHD and are put on stimulants or Straterra, which often makes things even worse and more volatile. ODD is another common misdiagnosis and is usually given out by therapists who don't have intensive psychiatric/neurological training.</p><p></p><p>These are very challenging children who become more challenging without the right treatment and diagnoses. NeuroPsychs can be found at children's and university hospitals and sometimes you need to insist on a referral from your pediatrician. </p><p></p><p>Medication is important in early onset mood disorders, sometimes also in autistic spectrum disorder. He may also have ADHD, but it sounds like more than that to me.</p><p></p><p>Others will come along with their own unique take on things and you will get a lot of good advice here from experienced mothers <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BusynMember, post: 305432, member: 1550"] Hi there and welcome to the board. Trust me, you are NOT alone. I have a few questions that will help us help you better. 1/ First off, it is very unlikely that he has ODD and nothing else. And he is most likely treatable. Read on. Has he ever been assessed by a private neuropsychologist or is the diagnosis just his therapist's opinion? Many of us, if not most, do not believe that ODD stands by itself. It doesn't mean much either other than "he is defiant." It doesn't explain why and isn't a very helpful label. Even the Chandler Papers (Dr. Chandler is the King of ODD) states that it rarely stands alone. It is usually the result of a more pervasive, bigger disorder that is not being treated. NeuroPsychs are really good diagnosticians who test up to ten hours. I would definitely have a neuropsychologist evaluation that is outside of the school district. They are psychologists (PhD's) with extra training in brain function and in my opinion come closest to accurately diagnosing our children (and even us). I've been in the mental healthcare system for myself, my daughter and my son and with all my experience I find NeuroPsychs the most accurate diagnosticians. I would not accept a diagnosis of only ODD. Many of us would not. 2/Are there any psychiatric issues on either side of his genetic tree? Obviously, ex (his father) has some sort of psychiatric problem possibly coupled with substance abuse, which is usually part and parcel of an attempt to self-medicate. Sadly, even once they are out of our children's lives the genes live on. Even if ex has not been diagnosed with anything, is here a chance he has a mood disorder? 3/How was your son's early development in the areas of speech, eye contact, cuddling, warming up to strangers, pottying, motor skills, and ability to transition from one activity to another. Another commmon childhood problem that is often overlooked by therapists is high functioning autism (Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified or Aspergers Syndrome). THese kids have very poor social skills, quirks, obsessive behavior, don't play much with toys in approproate ways, often mimic television shows, often have speech delays, usually don't know how to act appropriately in public, often are very bright but have learning differences, and get so frustrated that that rage. They can get so angry and frustrated at not understanding the world that they can lash out at others, at objects and even scratch themselves or bang their heads against the wall. My son used to do these things. These kids need interventions specific to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), don't respond well to traditional parenting methods, and do not do well in therapy because their problem is neurological, although it can appear to be psychiatric. Often kids with both mood diosrders and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are misdiagnosed as ADHD and are put on stimulants or Straterra, which often makes things even worse and more volatile. ODD is another common misdiagnosis and is usually given out by therapists who don't have intensive psychiatric/neurological training. These are very challenging children who become more challenging without the right treatment and diagnoses. NeuroPsychs can be found at children's and university hospitals and sometimes you need to insist on a referral from your pediatrician. Medication is important in early onset mood disorders, sometimes also in autistic spectrum disorder. He may also have ADHD, but it sounds like more than that to me. Others will come along with their own unique take on things and you will get a lot of good advice here from experienced mothers :) [/QUOTE]
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